by
Lily Rex
Spoken word poetry, or slam poetry, is
generally characterized by topics that the audience can relate to and a writing
style that is conducive to performance. Spoken word poems are quite different
than the average Dickinson or Levine piece. If you're interesting in writing
slam poetry, there are several things you should do when you write in order to
fit the genre, and knowledge about spoken word is also transferable to any
public reading situation.
Slam poems are similar to
songs in length—usually three to five minutes when performed. Some of the
complicated metaphors and abstract ideas we like to use in our shorter, more
“literary” poems require multiple readings on the part of the audience. This
mastery is great if your goal is to show your prowess in print, but it doesn’t
work so well in a crowded room. Keep in mind that your audience will only hear
this poem once. As a result, the poetic devices you choose should be easily
understood the first time they are heard. Rhyme is a good way to keep your audience
engaged. End rhyme can sometimes sound contrite or cute, but internal rhyme,
used within lines or stanzas rather than at the end, can be a valuable asset.
Repetition and alliteration are probably the easiest and most effective devices
to use in this genre because they cater to the ear rather than the eye or the
mind.
Speaking of the mind, it is
imperative that you choose a topic you are passionate about. Spoken word performers are often known for
political activism, and their poems frequently feature social commentary.
Choose a topic that you know a lot about—one that you would like to, and could,
talk about all night given the opportunity. Spoken word must be emotional, and
it is often deeply personal. Chances are that if the topic you have chosen makes
you emotional or gets you excited, either your audience will know and care
about it too, or the vigor you possess while speaking about it will inform them
and at least keep them interested.
Both choosing your
technique carefully and picking a topic that is dear to you play into one of
the most important aspects of spoken word. A spoken word performance is always
best if you have memorized your poems, and that is easier to do if you love the
subject of your poem and you wrote the poem in a way that allows you to easily
remember what comes next and to improvise if you get stuck. Now, why is it so important to memorize your
poems? Reading a spoken word poem should really be thought of as a performance
rather than a reading. Your voice, face, and hands are just as important as the
content of the poem. You’ll need your hands free so you can gesture, and you
need to connect with the audience on a level that can’t be achieved looking
down at a sheet of paper. Similarly, if you know your poem well enough to
recite it without reading from a hardcopy, your familiarity with the poem will
be heard in your voice. You’ll become more comfortable reciting it on stage—and
that leaves extra room for pathos and improvisation.
Spoken
word poetry has gained a lot of attention in recent years--and not all of that
attention is positive. While some people are praising the renewal of the oral
tradition, a few others say this new style is an insult to what the oral
tradition used to be and all the good qualities of printed, literary poems.
However, spoken word, like any genre, is not effective unless it is done right.
Remembering to write for a live audience, love your topic, and memorize your
poem is a great start.
More resources on spoken word
poetry:
Sarah
Kay’s TED talk: “If I Should Have a Daughter” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0snNB1yS3IE
Example performances:
Phil
Kaye and Sarah Kay: “An Origin Story” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esgfG3BoAPc
Lauren
Zuniga: “To the Oklahoma Lawmakers” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leE4_k9zxEI
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